Hits and misses

July 18, 1996|By Jason LaCanfora

On the field: Robert Perez hit a shot up the middle in the second inning that rolled into shallow center field. But what looked like a sure single became a double when Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson was slow to retrieve the ball. Perez reached second and scored on an error later that inning.

In the dugout: Orioles manager Davey Johnson said he would use injured second baseman Roberto Alomar for last night's game under one circumstance -- as a left-handed pinch hitter in a spot when the at-bat could win the game -- and he did. Alomar pinch hit in the ninth and delivered a sacrifice fly that tied the score at 10. Alomar is receiving treatment for his sprained left ring finger, and Johnson said he doesn't know when the All-Star will return full-time.

In the clubhouse: Johnson said he doesn't expect a major youth overhaul of his team for one simple reason: The Orioles would have to trade virtually everyone on the team: "The last time I looked we've only got three guys under 30. So it's not going to be a massive youth movement. [Mark] Smith, [Gregg] Zaun, Manny [Alexander]. That's about it. The rest are veterans."